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MLB Free Agency: Red Sox making push for David Price

By Kyle Franzoni

Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) celebrates the win at the end of game five against the Texas Rangers in the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) celebrates the win at the end of game five against the Texas Rangers in the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox have a lot of work to do on their starting rotation. Signing free agent David Price would be a big step in the right direction.

The Boston Red Sox watched David Price pitch a division rival into the postseason in 2015. Now, they’re hoping that adding Price to their rotation in 2016 could work the same magic.

According to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, speaking with MLB Network, the Red Sox are targeting David Price in their efforts to land an ace and their general manager appears to be “all in” with efforts to put in a competitive bid for the free agent.

The fact that Boston is interested in Price is no mystery. The left-hander is the top available arm on the free agent market this winter and he is guaranteed to draw plenty of interest around the market. However, it would also require a shift in the club’s recent paradigm.

Over the past several winters, the Red Sox have avoided signing long term deals that exceed three or four seasons. After getting bitten by multiple large deals (Carl Crawford, John Lackey, Adrian Gonzalez), Boston made a change to ensure that they wouldn’t be over encumbered by any one or two contracts. Thus, recent deals have been for high dollar amounts over shorter terms.

However, as witnessed last season, that has restricted the Red Sox to making deals for mid-tier arms through trades or other signings. That left the team without a true ace last winter and it showed in the results, when Red Sox starters ranked 24th in ERA with a 4.39 mark and allowed the sixth most runs in the game last season.

To sign Price, the Red Sox will likely need to commit to at least six or seven seasons and push a deal over $200 million. The 30-year-old is looking for a deal that will put him on par with Clayton Kersaw, who is currently pitching on a 7-year, $215 million contract with the Dodgers.

Price, who may not have the three Cy Young awards that Kershaw has, nonetheless has been consistently an ace over the years. Since become a full-time starter in 2009, Price has averaged 15 wins, a 3.10 ERA, a 3.19 FIP, and 194 strike-outs per season. Overall, he owns a lifetime mark of 104-56 with a 3.09 ERA and a 3.19 FIP.

If the Red Sox are unable to land Price, they will undoubtedly turn their focus to Zack Greinke and Jordan Zimmerman.

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